Trolling motor mount

ABSTRACT

An embodiment can include a trolling motor mount for a pontoon boat. The trolling motor mount can have a frame portion and a hinged portion. The trolling motor mount can be formed in a rectangular shape having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge and a back edge. The frame portion can have a first flange adapted to be disposed substantially parallel with a deck surface of the pontoon boat and to rest on top of a top surface of the deck surface, a sidewall portion at substantially a right angle to the first flange so as to be substantially perpendicular to the deck surface and a second flange portion disposed at a bottom edge of the sidewall portion and formed so as to be substantially parallel to the deck surface.

The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/582,254, entitled “Trolling Motor Mount” and filed on Dec. 31, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/582,255, entitled “Trolling Motor Mount” and filed on Dec. 31, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Embodiments relate generally to a trolling motor mount and, more particularly, to a trolling motor mount for a pontoon boat or the like.

Pontoon boats have a deck mounted on top of two or more pontoons that float on the surface of a body of water. Pontoon boats can be multi-purpose boats used for cruising, fishing and water sports such as skiing and tubing.

Trolling motors can be useful when fishing to provide quiet power to slowly move the boat along a shoreline, weed line or other feature. In a specialized fishing boat, such as a bass boat, a trolling motor may be mounted on the bow, at the foot of a pedestal seat and controlled with a foot pedal or other control arrangement, for example. However, on a pontoon boat, the bow may not be a suitable place to mount a trolling motor for a number of reasons. First, one strong feature of a pontoon boat is the availability of a large deck space relatively free from obstructions so that passengers may move about freely on the boat. Second, the distance from the bow portion of a pontoon boat deck to the water may be greater than that of a bass boat or other similar boat. Trolling motor bow mounts are typically permanently installed, and thus, on a pontoon boat would permanently take up deck space and may also create a tripping hazard.

Mounting a trolling motor on the stern of a pontoon boat may also have drawbacks such as the distance of the motor from the bow where fisherman may want to be located and obstructions, such as railings, that typically separate the passenger deck area of a pontoon boat from the stern area where an engine may be mounted.

Embodiments of the present invention were conceived in light of the problems and limitations discussed above, among other things.

An embodiment includes a trolling motor mount for a pontoon boat. The trolling motor mount can have a frame portion and a hinged portion. The trolling motor mount can be formed in a rectangular shape having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge and a back edge. The frame portion can have a first flange adapted to be disposed substantially parallel with a deck surface of the pontoon boat and to rest on top of a top surface of the deck surface, a sidewall portion at substantially a right angle to the first flange so as to be substantially perpendicular to the deck surface and a second flange portion disposed at a bottom edge of the sidewall portion and formed so as to be substantially parallel to the deck surface.

The hinged portion can be attached to the frame via a hinge disposed along the back side edge of the hinged portion and the frame portion. The hinged portion being formed so as to be able to be lifted up and to rotate about the hinge up and away from the deck surface. Once lifted to a sufficient angle, a trolling motor can pass through an opening in the frame exposed by raising the hinged portion. When closed, the hinged portion rests on the second flange. The hinged portion can also include a hole, disposed adjacent to the front edge of the hinged portion, to facilitate gripping and lifting the hinged portion. Alternatively, a foldable handle could be used instead of a hole. In general, any gripping device that can be folded flat could be used to raise the hinged portion when gripped by a person. It is preferable that the handle be foldable to as to make the trolling motor mount substantially flat when not in use so that a tripping obstacle is not created on the deck surface.

The trolling motor mount can also include a reinforced portion along the front edge of the trolling motor mount. The reinforced portion can be formed of metal or other durable material. The reinforced portion is where the trolling motor can be mounted (typically with a screw clamp mechanism or the like). The reinforced portion can help reduce damage or excessive wear to the trolling motor mount frame and the deck of the boat. Also, the reinforced portion can provide a solid surface for tightening down the screw clamps or other mounting device for the trolling motor.

To place the trolling motor mount on a boat, a rectangular cut, slightly larger than the opening of the mount, but smaller than the outer edge dimensions of the first flange, is made in the deck of the boat. The trolling motor mount is then placed into the cut in the deck and secured to the deck (e.g., with suitable fasteners or a suitable adhesive). In use, the hinged portion can be raised and a trolling motor can be placed through the exposed opening and into the water below the deck of the pontoon boat. The trolling motor mount can be located, for example, between two seats located at the bow of a pontoon boat, thus giving one or more fisherman at the bow of the boat ready access to the trolling motor.

When a trolling motor is not in use, the trolling motor can be removed from the trolling motor mount and the hinged portion can be closed to create a substantially flat deck surface free from tripping hazards. Thus, the trolling motor mount in accordance with one or more embodiments can give a pontoon boat owner the flexibility of having a trolling motor when fishing and open deck space when cruising or using the boat in other ways.

In addition to, or as a complement to, the trolling motor mount, a storage bench can be provided that is formed to hold a battery for a trolling motor and the trolling motor itself. When closed, the bench can be used as a seat. The bench can also include an opening in the bottom surface with dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of the hinged portion of the trolling motor mount discussed above. The bench can then be placed over the trolling motor mount and opened to reveal the trolling motor mount hinged portion, which can be raised and the trolling motor can be lowered into the opening and secured in place using the attachments mechanism of the trolling motor. The bench can then be closed to provide additional seating. The trolling motor can be controlled by opening the bench or by remote control (wired or wireless). A remote control for the trolling motor would enable the bench seat to remain closed and be used for seating while the trolling motor is in operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-view of an exemplary trolling motor mount in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the trolling motor mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a below-deck trolling motor mount in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a bench seat storage system in accordance with at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a trolling motor mount 100 having a frame portion 102 and a hinged portion 104. The hinged portion 104 is attached to the frame portion 102 via a hinge 106. The hinged portion 104 also includes a gripping/lifting means 108 that can be a hole cut partially or fully through the hinged portion, a folding grip ring or handle, or the like.

The trolling motor mount 100 also includes a reinforced portion 110. The reinforced portion 110 can be formed from metal, hard plastic, fiberglass or other suitable material. In general, the reinforced portion 110 should be formed from a material having a sufficient hardness and/or dimensions to safely and securely mount a trolling motor using the mounting mechanism of the trolling motor (e.g., screw clamps or the like).

To install the trolling motor mount, a hole 112 is cut in the deck. This hole is large than the opening of the hinged portion 104 and smaller than the outer edge of the frame portion 102. Preferably, the hole is just large enough for the trolling motor mount to fit into, thus leaving a maximum amount of deck material under the edge of the frame portion 102 to help support the frame portion 102.

The frame portion 102 and the hinged portion 104 can be formed of a material suitable for use in a marine environment and capable of supporting substantially the same weight as the portion of the deck that is being replaced.

FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the trolling motor mount of FIG. 1 when the trolling motor mount is installed. The frame portion 102 rests on the boat deck 202. The frame portion 102 includes a first flange 204, a sidewall portion 206 and a second flange 208. The hinged portion 104 rests on the second flange 208 when the hinged portion 104 is in a closed (or lowered) position.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a below-deck trolling motor mount system 300 that is mounted below the deck 302 of a boat (e.g., a pontoon boat). The system includes a control section 304 that controls the raising and lowering of the motor, the directional orientation of the motor and the speed/direction of the motor prop rotation. An extendable shaft 306 connects the control section 304 with the motor 308.

The motor 308 can be lowered to a first position 310A and raised to a second position 310B. Thus providing a trolling motor for a pontoon boat that does not interfere with open deck area and does not require cutting a hole through the deck of a size sufficient to pass the motor 308 through, for example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a bench seat storage system 400 that can store a battery 404 for a trolling motor 408 and includes a bracket 406 for securely holding the trolling motor unit 408 when stowed in the bench seat storage system 402. The seat can be padded on a top surface to be more comfortable for sitting on. The bench seat storage system can also include an opening in a bottom surface to permit the bench seat storage system to be placed over top of the trolling motor mount.

It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, trolling motor mounts and a bench seat trolling motor stowage system.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A trolling motor mount for a pontoon boat, the mount comprising: a frame portion; and a motor shaft coupling portion configured to attach the trolling motor to the frame portion, wherein the trolling motor mount is formed in a rectangular shape having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge and a back edge, and wherein the frame portion can have a first flange adapted to be disposed substantially parallel with a deck surface of the pontoon boat when the trolling motor mount is mounted on the pontoon boat and to rest on top of a top surface of the deck surface, a sidewall portion at substantially a right angle to the first flange so as to be substantially perpendicular to the deck surface and a second flange portion disposed at a bottom edge of the sidewall portion and formed so as to be substantially parallel to the deck surface. 